Understanding Packing Basics

Choosing the Right Materials

Choosing the right packing materials is the first step in ensuring your household goods are protected. Using sturdy boxes of varied sizes can accommodate different types of items. For fragile items, bubble wrap, packing peanuts or foams are essential. Quality sealing tapes and a tape gun can provide a secure closure and labelling materials will help in the organization. Depending on the items you're shipping, you may also need materials like pallets, furniture pads or blankets, and straps.

• Boxes: Boxes should be of good quality or else they risk collapsing or tearing. Different sizes are needed as different household items require different box sizes; some will easily fit in small and medium boxes, while others will require larger ones.
• Bubble Wrap, Packing Peanuts and Foams: These help cushion items and prevent damage from impact. Especially for fragile items, bubble wrap and foams can ensure that items remain secure and do not break in transit.
• Sealing Tapes and Tape Guns: A quality sealing tape can add an extra layer of security, ensuring that boxes do not open or break during shipping. A tape gun can make the sealing process faster and more convenient.

Utilizing Space Wisely

One of the crucial aspects of packing a shipping container is making optimum use of the available space. This necessitates a strategy that entails packing heavier items at the bottom, packing and stacking boxes to minimize space, and filling empty spaces with packing materials. Correctly utilizing the space can not only ensure the safety of the items but also save on shipping costs.

• Packing Heavier items at the bottom: This helps maintain balance and stability throughout the transport. Putting lighter items at the top prevents them from getting crushed.
• Packing and Stacking boxes: Boxes should be packed in a way that does not leave too much space inside, to prevent items from moving around. They should be stacked according to their sizes to minimize space use.
• Filling Up Empty Spaces: Any unused space inside the shipping container should be filled with packing materials like foams or packing paper. This prevents items from shifting and reducing the risk of damages during transportation.

Labelling Your Goods

Correctly labelling your boxes and goods can help in easy identification for unpacking as well as in case of claims for lost or damaged items. It's important to label the boxes based on the room they belong to and the items they contain. Fragile items should be labelled clearly. In the likelihood of shipping multiple containers, labelling can assist in deciding which box to open first when unloading.

• Labelling Based on the Room: Labelling boxes based on the room they come from simplifies the unpacking process especially in large moves where multiple rooms are involved.
• Listing Items Inside: Briefly listing the content of the boxes helps in prioritizing unloading and ensures delicate items are handled carefully. This also assists in locating items conveniently.
• Highlighting Fragile Items: Not every item in your shipment is going to be sturdy. China, glassware and other delicate items should be clearly marked. This helps in drawing attention and careful handling of these boxes.